Baby went to an infant play/learn class! Yay! Now I'm worried about her motor development. Boo.

Today we tried out a baby play/learn class. My baby was due on January 31st, but born on January 2nd, so she's just about 7 months old. The other babies in the class were 7 months, with a few 8 month olds.

Firstly, my little one has to support herself with her arms while she sits. She also sometimes topples over. No other baby was having any trouble sitting. My girl can't "play" while sitting, because she is concentrating on not falling and cannot lift her arms to hold toys- if so, timberrrr! She falls.

Then the teacher had all the babies on their tummies to go reach for toys in the middle of the circle. My baby does not like being on her tummy still. She started crying while the other babies had fun. There was a JUST-turned 6 month old there on the verge of crawling.

I know the other babies there were older, but I cannot help myself and I feel like she is falling behind. I almost walked out in tears. I just was looking at other babies for the very first time in her age group, and she looked nothing like them.

Please slap some sense into me. I know all babies develop differently. I know my baby was over 4 weeks premature. Why do I get so stupidly sad and feel like my baby is losing in some race?

Comments (15)

I'm sorry you feel so sad, but you're telling yourself the right things. She was premature and is not technically a 7 month old. My DD was born on 1/28 and just turned 6 months and yes, she is so close to crawling, but she only recently started sitting up on her own. All babies do develop differently and you have to remember her adjusted age. She is right on track for a 6 month old. Don't worry, momma!

Aww, I know how you feel. My little dude just started rolling from back to belly in the last week! His due date was 1/28 but he came 1/23 so I tell myself he rolled before 6 months:-) My guy hasn't reached any milestones particularly early either. I get nervous too reading about all these major feats these kids are doing. In the end it won't mean much.

My twin girls are a week away from 7 Mos and have to use their hands to sit up also! They were born Jan 7th (3.5 wks early). Not crawling. They roll both ways a lot tho. I get concerned about the milestones too but it just takes practice and the doctor would tell you if anything was abnormal. Take care n don't feel bad at all! :)

Don't feel bad. They all develop differently! My lo has mastered rolling, but that's it! She doesn't sit up at all and definitely isn't trying to crawl! I get a little worried too, but it's ok. I know she'll do it when she's ready!

I think babies tend to focus on the the skills they want to learn and practice those and ignore others. My nephew and my daughter are 10 days apart. He crawls but can't sit. She sits no problem but doesn't seem to have any interest in crawling.

Just tell yourself that any new developments are a huge accomplishment for her, and just be proud! She's still learning, and some day it will all just click.

Agree with all PP! I would probably feel the same way but remember that she was premature and yes, they develop at different paces! The other babies may have also been going for awhile and may be super comfortable there. I'd recommend trying it a couple more times to see how she does. In the meantime, relax and enjoy her as each day her sits will be stronger! Besides, once she starts crawling it's all over!! Let baby proofing and hawk eye momma begin lol!! You're doing great!!!

Don't feel bad. These milestone really do happen overnight sometimes. Plus there is so much focus on motor development... Maybe your LO is focusing more on cognitive skills right now. She may be more advanced in different areas.
Eta: I had concerns because my LO was a later roller... She didn't start rolling until well after I saw posts on here...4 months for belly to back, 5 months back to belly and then a week later started the army crawl. It's like they learn things all at once.... Maybe your LO will skip crawling and start walking early. Either way, in a year no one cares how old they were when they sat, crawled, rolled ect.

You feel bad because we have been raised in a society of competition. Every part of our lives is being taken over by it...

I spent 5 years working in a high end preschool where we had to put children's names on the back of their work when we displayed it because parents competed OVER ARTWORK... (Oh my 16 month old used lots of colors and her 18 month old only used red.)

I had a parent ask my if her YDS was stupid because her ODS had been talking up a storm at 18 month and YDS wasn't talking much.

It hurts our children when we compare them too much. Instead, look for games and activities you can use to help support her muscle development and coordination. My LO sat unassisted to play with a sensory board I made him with things from around the house. He started crawling for an empty plastic Easter egg. Make tummy time exciting with a textured blanket or free xylophone app on your phone. (Yes, screen time is arguably bad but screens are everywhere so LO's will adapt!). Play Row, Row Your Boat and rock back and forth with LO sitting facing you so her core is basically doing sit ups. Have her kick things while on her back.

But don't worry! Kids are amazing! Some try everything as they learn and others watch for what seems like EVER and do things perfectly the first time!